Entertaining and engaging, this new follow-up to Wisdom’s bestseller The Dharma of Star Wars stands on its own and will captivate a broad audience with the Star Wars story from a Buddhist perspective. Did you ever wonder why R2-D2 is: Always calm and cool under pressure, The key to the rebellion’s survival, The one who never fails to save the day? Could it be because he’s secretly a Zen master? Discover your inner R2—and the truth about who you really are! This delightful and illuminating romp unfolds in the form of a fictional dialogue between the author—a die-hard Star Wars devotee with a deep connection to Zen—and two cosplayers dressed as C-3PO and R2-D2 who insist on being called by their character names. Along the way, you’ll come to see what everyone’s favorite astromech can teach us about peace, happiness, and life’s true meaning.

Is Yoda a Zen Master? Is the story of Luke Skywalker a spiritual epic? The answers, as well as excitement, adventure, and a lot of fun, are here! This revised and expanded edition of The Dharma of Star Wars uses George Lucas’ beloved modern saga and the wise words of the Buddha to illuminate each other in playful and unexpectedly rewarding ways. Matthew Bortolin writes an inspiring and totally new take on this timeless saga, from A New Hope through Revenge of the Sith and television's Clone Wars. Great fun for any Star Wars fan. Includes instruction in The Jedi Art of Mindfulness and Concentration and The Padawan Handbook: Zen Contemplations for the Would-Be Jedi.

In a galaxy very near and brimming with possibility… In My Life with the Jedi, award-winning author Eric A. Clayton intertwines lessons learned from the Star Wars universe with profound spiritual truths, inviting readers on a journey that touches on the epic and the everyday. Dive into an interior galaxy where the mysteries of the Force meet the depths of Ignatian spirituality. Discover how hope—that ever-present virtue of Jedi and Rebels alike—leads to profound decision-making, renewed relationships, and a purpose-driven life. Ideal for ardent Star Wars aficionados seeking deeper connections, spiritual pilgrims on a quest for enlightenment, and Christians craving a fresh perspective, My Life with the Jedi promises to be a beacon of wisdom in galaxies both near and far, far away. This book is not endorsed, approved, or affiliated with George Lucas, Lucasfilm LTD, or The Walt Disney Company. The views expressed are solely those of the author. "Star Wars™" is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd. and The Walt Disney Company.

'Star Wars' is a global phenomenon that in 2022 celebrated its 45th year of transmedia storytelling, and it has never been more successful than it is today. More 'Star Wars' works than ever are currently available or in simultaneous development, including live-action and animated series, novels, comics, and merchandise, as well as the feature films for which the franchise is best known. 'Star Wars' fandom is worldwide, time-tested, and growing; academic interest in the franchise, both inside and outside of the classroom, is high. This accessible and multidisciplinary anthology covers topics across the full history of the franchise. With a range of essays by authors whose disciplines run from culture and religious studies to film, feminism, and philology, 'Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away' speaks to academics in the field, students in the classroom, and anyone looking to broaden their understanding and deepen their appreciation for 'Star Wars'.

Volume Two of The History of Psychology through Symbols continues a groundbreaking approach of using symbols to deepen the understanding of psychological history as well as the importance of how one lives, an emphasis on engagement with symbols and with specific exercises, called emancipatory opportunities, to apply the lessons of psychological history to daily life. From the birth of modern psychology in the laboratory of Wilhelm Wundt, Volume Two discusses how the early theories of voluntarism, structuralism, evolution, and pragmatism influenced the modern development of psychology. The importance of making unconscious shadow forces in science conscious is explored through the impact of the eugenic movement, the controversies surrounding the development of psychological testing, and current research biases in psychology. Volume Two describes how clinical psychology emerged as a powerful profession in mental health care. The Four Forces of Psychology are explored through their natural and hermeneutic science influences. Psychoanalytic and Jungian analytical psychology comprise the first force, behaviorism the second force, humanistic-existential the third force, and transpersonal psychology the fourth force that includes a groundbreaking discussion of psychedelic history and research that could revolutionize mental health and drug and alcohol treatment. Rejecting that science transcends historical events, this volume provides a political, socioeconomic, and cultural context for modern psychology and all Four Forces of Psychology. This book is ideal for those seeking a dynamic and engaging way of learning about or teaching the history of psychology and would also be of interest to students, practitioners, and scholars of science, philosophy, history and systems, religious studies, art, and mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, as well as those interested in applying the lessons of history to daily life.

Garr Reynolds, author of the best-selling book on presentation design and delivery, is back with this newly revised edition of this classic book, Presentation Zen. Showing us there is a better way to reach your audience through simplicity and storytelling, Garr tackles the conventional wisdom of making presentations with slides and shares his approach to designing and delivering successful and provocative presentations. In this new edition, Garr includes fresh examples from which to draw inspiration, and offers techniques for cutting through the noise and distractions of modern life and truly engaging with your audiences in a meaningful way. Combining the solid principles of design with the tenets of Zen simplicity, Presentation Zen, Third Edition, puts you solidly on the path to creating simpler, more effective presentations that will be appreciated, remembered, and best of all, acted upon. “Presentation Zen changed my life and the lives of my clients. The philosophy and approach so elegantly explained in Garr’s book will inspire your audience. Don’t even think of giving another presentation without it!” Carmine Gallo Author, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs and Talk Like TED “Garr has broken new ground in the way we think about the power of presentations, and more important, has taught an entire generation of communicators how to do a better job. Don’t miss this one.” Seth Godin Legendary presenter and author, This is Marketing “If you care about the quality and clarity of your presentations–and you should–pick up this book, read every page, and heed its wisdom. Presentation Zen is a contemporary classic.” Daniel H. Pink Author, A Whole New Mind and Drive

The Jedi in the Lotus is the first-ever examination of the Star Wars universe from a Hindu perspective, illuminating many hitherto undiscovered aspects of the background and meaning of the widely acclaimed film series. We are shown how its creators were influenced by the famed mythologist, Joseph Campbell, whose reading of the ancient Indian Epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata, can be seen throughout the Star Wars films. This book also demonstrates how the metaphysical understanding of the Jedi Knights and the divinity conceived of as 'the Force' have resonances with teachings passed down by Hindu gurus and mystics for centuries, and how fantastic worlds and technology similar to that of the Star Wars universe were described in myths that are millennia old - and may even have had some basis in reality. Finally, The Jedi in the Lotus shows us how the Hindu traditions at the basis of Star Wars offer an alternative vision to the purely materialistic, soulless world of modernity. Steven J. Rosen (Satyaraja Dasa) is an initiated disciple of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He is also founding editor of the Journal of Vaishnava Studies and associate editor of Back to Godhead. He has published twenty-one books in numerous languages, including the recent Essential Hinduism (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008); The Yoga of Kirtan: Conversations on the Sacred Art of Chanting (FOLK Books, 2008); and Krishna's Other Song: A New Look at the Uddhava Gita (Praeger-Greenwood, 2010). 'In conclusion, I can only say that The Jedi in the Lotus is a breakthrough book when it comes to understanding the mythic depth of the Star Wars epics. Steven J. Rosen uses his masterful grasp of the Eastern traditions to explain the secrets of the most successful film series ever. This book also shows us why Joseph Campbell loved the wisdom tales from India, and, for those who found the Star Wars adventures memorable, this is a truly illuminating book.' - Dr. Jonathan Young, from the Foreword